Unwanted start-up Choice

Hi All,
I installed Mandriva Linux on partition H: (with Windows XP HE on C: ) just to see if I could learn a bit about it. Then I needed the space it was taking up, so I deleted partition H: and formatted it) from Windows through Disk Management (which saw it as "unknown partitionâ€. Now I have a choice at boot-up of which OS I want to run. Luckily I had it set to run Windows by default or I would have been in bigger trouble now. My question is how can I get rid of the choice at start-up? I don’t remember what file system I used for Mandriva, but Win XP is on NTFS. Neither OS could see the other. I also can’t remember which boot loader I used when asked , but I think it was Grub!!!.
I would like to do this from Windows if possible.I have a live Ubuntu CD ,if that could help any,but I would need exact instructions as I can’t get into Linux at all.
Thank you all in advance and if you need any more info, let me know, OK.

Mickzer.

 

Hello mickzer,

I or someone else can tell you how to edit XP's boot file which right now has a line for the Linux partition.

Right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery section > Settings bar > System Startup window > Edit bar and copy and paste the boot.ini into your next post.

The other way to re create the boot file - if you have a XP cd - is to boot into the XP cd (the ROM must be the 1st boot device in the BIOS) and pick the repair option > Recovery Console > type help > from the list > bootcfg which will repair the boot.ini file.

If you don't see the Recovery Console option - stop and get out.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charlesvar,
Here it is ,but it seems normal to me:
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
Thanks for reply,
mickzer.

 

Hi

Yes, your Boot.ini is a normal single boot, looks fine.

I also can’t remember which boot loader I used when asked , but I think it was Grub!!!.
You have the 3rd party boot loader still running. Thats going to have to be disabled.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles,
Following some advice I booted from XP CD, pressed "R" for Recovery Console,Chose which Windows to fix,(There was only one) Typed admin password, Then typed FIXMBR and pressed Enter and it worked!! BTW I nearly backed out when it warned me I had an invalid MBR and if I continued Windows might not boot.Thank you for your help.
mickzer.

 

Hi mickzer,

Great - thanks for letting us know

Regards - Charles

 

BTW Charlesvar,
What would have been the correct way to have removed Mandriva...or any other Linux OS? (Just in case)
mickzer.

 

Hi mick,

Don't know, have no experience with Linux.

After my last post about the boot.ini, did some more research on this and did find I out that you did have to use the RC > FIXMBR in the aftermath of Linux removal, but you posted back meanwhile that you found that on your own

Regards - Charles

 

Or, you can choose to install grub to a floppy disk and when you want to boot to Linux, put the floppy in and boot from it.